He was a good-looking man in his forties. I had studied his profile and photos extensively. But he looked even younger in person, with a content healthy glow that I’d only ever seen in yous. And though Daiyu got her looks more from her former model mother, there were mannerisms—a certain way Jin tilted his chin, how he took in and assessed a situation immediately with just one glance—that reminded me of her. There was no question that Daiyu was her father’s daughter.

“Have you given him food?” Jin asked in a cold, detached tone, although he didn’t glance away. “Some water at least?”

I swallowed then; my mouth was so dry, my throat swollen with pain.

Da Ge’s narrow eyes flicked over toward Jin, his expression unreadable. “Didn’t think to.”

“Well, go!” Jin roared.

Da Ge left the cramped chamber, closing the door with a loud thunk.

“I apologize.” Jin sighed and pulled up a chair from a back corner, shifting machinery parts and servers out of the way so he could sit across from me at a short distance.

I stared at him.

“Do you really have the super flu like you claimed?” Jin asked, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. I wanted more than anything to punch the smug look from his face. Instinctively, I knew that Jin had never known fear or rage, had never, ever felt helpless.

I shrugged noncommittally.

“I was only half following you and your friends’ endeavors while abroad. Didn’t know what you were about.” Jin laced his fingers, pressing his thumbs together. “But my interest was piqued when reports came back that whatever you were doing seemed to be helping those infected. Something that could work against a virulent flu strain never seen before? How is that?”

I didn’t reply, then licked my teeth and tasted blood.

“I see,” Jin replied. “It’s a good thing my men can follow some direction, as they picked up a few samples of what you dropped on-site. It’s being analyzed in my lab upstairs as we speak.”

“We’ve already sent the antidote to the FDA for approval,” I said. “In case you were thinking of stealing it.”

Jin laughed. “What would I need antidotes for? My business is not in curing the world of illness. I’ll make sure your antidote isn’t approved by the FDA. In fact, I’ll see to it that your entire lab is shut down.” He rose and dusted off his trousers, the movement efficient but somehow elegant. “I’m impressed, however, if you actually did succeed in producing an antidote for a virus that I personally know didn’t exist outside a test tube until recently.” He paused, then smiled graciously, as if I should be grateful for the compliment.